Lyttelton Timeball Station rebuild receives $1m donation

Landmark Incorporated
has become the founder donor for the rebuild of the
Lyttelton Timeball Station, presenting a cheque for $1
million to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
today.

“We are extremely pleased to make this
gift, from the people of Auckland to the people of
Canterbury, knowing it will help to restore a significant
landmark to an area that has lost so much of its
heritage,” said David Chandler, President of Landmark
Inc., a charitable organisation established in 1972 with the
vision of preserving New Zealand’s heritage
landmarks.

“Our focus has been on New
Zealand’s heritage places and landmarks and the Timeball
Station was one of New Zealand’s most significant places.
It was a category 1 historic place and one of just a handful
of working Timeball Stations in the world, so along with
having a clear place in the community’s heart, it was
internationally significant.

“To be able to
provide this gift, and help ensure the Timeball can rise
again is strongly aligned with Landmark’s
purpose.”

NZHPT Chief Executive, Bruce Chapman,
said the importance of this donation goes beyond its dollar
value.

“In a sense this donation is the most
important one because it makes the project a reality. When
we sought the views of the Lyttelton community at the end of
last year they gave us a very clear message that some form
of rebuild is important to them. Landmark’s vision and
generosity means the rebuild project has a firm foundation,
and it has captured the community’s
imagination.”

Chairperson of the NZHPT’s
Board, Shonagh Kenderdine, said that before the Landmark
offer the organisation had been hoping to find a way
reinstate the timeball mechanism on Lyttelton’s
skyline.

“The Board has approved in principle
the rebuild of the tower and reinstatement of the flagpole,
and the NZHPT is now exploring what else is feasible. The
potential for a larger rebuild is there, which is exciting,
but we are clear that regardless of what is the final
outcome, this is just the start of an extended period of
fundraising.”

The NZHPT is currently undertaking
a study to determine what would be the most appropriate
structure both for the site and to meet the needs and hopes
of the community. No decisions are expected until later this
year.

Mrs Kenderdine said the Timeball, like New
Zealand’s other historic places, is an important reminder
of our unique and complex history, and our global
connections.

“After the building was lost we had
messages of sympathy and sorrow from people around the
country, and around the world. Today we can join in
celebrating a bright future for this site.”

After the earthquake of 4 September 2010 damaged the
Timeball Station, the NZHPT had planned to complete
strengthening work and restore the building. The 22 February
2011 quake caused irreparable damage and the decision was
made to carefully deconstruct the building, increasing the
likelihood of salvaging building materials to help with any
potential rebuild.

Another major quake on 13 June
2011 saw the building’s tower collapse, however a large
amount of the building’s fabric has been recovered and
remains in storage.

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